LONDON (ICIS)--The European Commission is looking into a proposal to scrap import duties for pellets of the commodity grade C4 (butene-based) linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) for five years, starting in 2023.
Current standard tariffs are at 6.5%.
Under an application being discussed by the EU's Economic Tariff Questions Group (ETQG) when they meet on 13-14 July, the tariff would drop to 0% from 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2027.
This would lower costs for imports, bringing the duty in line with that for other PE importers such as Korea which already has the advantage of 0% duty under its broader trade arrangement with the EU.
The new application is for two specific grades of LLDPE, which are: 0.924 g/cm3 density with a melt index of 18-22; and 0.924 g/cm3 density with a melt index from 48-52.
The product is used for manufacturing a Masterbatch with high loads of mineral filler, according to documents published on the working group's website.
PE is the most widely-used plastic in the world, primarily found in packaging including plastic bags, plastic films and geomembranes.